Elder Law Tidbits: Stop falling for pitchmen

Had a lady come by wondering about her cell phone bills. Let’s call her Mrs. Robinson. Mrs. Robinson woke up one fine morning with perfectly good phone service and then Benjamin knocked on her door with a better deal. Five dollars a month cheaper for a two-year contract. Mrs. Robinson was assured by Benjamin that he would cancel her old contract that still had a year to go.

Mrs. Robinson got her new phone service but started receiving two bills each month one for $45 and another for $50. She called both providers and each informed her that they had a valid contract with her. Then she called me for an appointment. I got excited thinking I could make $100 for Christmas. She filled me in and my first response to her was to never answer the door just because some idiot knocks. Too many home invasions going on.

I also lost my sense of excitement realizing this was a waste of my time, and her time, and that I was only going to get about $25 which is what I charge to keep folks from camping out in my office. It’s a waste of my time because phone companies don’t give a hoot what my demand letter might say even though I could charge Mrs. Robinson $250 to write it.

So, what did I tell Mrs. Robinson to do about Benjamin? Plastics, I said. Seriously, I told her to write her own demand letter on the unlikely chance that she might run into an ethical corporation. After that failed, I told her to contact the New Mexico Attorney General’s Office, Div. of Consumer Affairs, at 888- 678-1508. If that didn’t work then call the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission at 800-947-4722. Companies do care about these two regulatory outfits, whose services are free to the residents of New Mexico, because companies want to continue doing business in New Mexico and the regulators can shut them down statewide.

Mrs. Robinson’s last response was that she would close the bank account from which the auto drafts are made. That would cause a black mark on her credit and the company could eventually get around to filing a collection action.

Then I began to lecture Mrs. Robinson, which is my habit, and since I wanted her to get her $25 worth. Stop falling for this stuff. They solicit you in all fashions and they are not trying to help you, rather they are trying to scam you legally. Sooner or later you get confused or foul up the paperwork and you’re snagged.

Also, none of your friends can get in touch with you because you always have a new phone number or a new internet address. Same thing on car warranties, the fraud protection fraud, id theft protection, reverse mortgages, etc. So there!

Oh, about Benjamin? Ben married Elaine, went into plastics and they lived happily ever after at Cal Berkeley.

Comments and opinions expressed in this column are those of Tom Dunlap and are not to be considered legal advice, for which you should consult your own attorney. Communicate comments or questions to Tom at: dunlaplawoffice@cableone.net or at 575.622.2607 in Roswell.